In the 12 games Justin Smoak has played at AAA, he's hitting a Nick Punto-esque .156/.264/.289 with 4 extra base hits, 7 walks and 11 strikeouts. But i'm not worried at all about him, he's just getting used to AAA pitching.

Even with his struggles he's definitely getting a september call up right?_________________
#JDI

Monday I'll be where I usually sit, about 15 rows above the Rangers dugout. Wednesday, I'm going with a Sox fan and he got tickets 4 rows above the Sox dugout. Hopefully I can bring a broom to the game on Wednesday._________________ Fan of: Cowboys, Rangers, SMU Mustangs, Chelsea FC, Pirlo's Hair

In the 12 games Justin Smoak has played at AAA, he's hitting a Nick Punto-esque .156/.264/.289 with 4 extra base hits, 7 walks and 11 strikeouts. But i'm not worried at all about him, he's just getting used to AAA pitching.

Even with his struggles he's definitely getting a september call up right?

I don't know about Smoak. If we don't trade Hank at the deadline, Smoak doesn't really have a spot on this team. I also think they would give Davis another shot before they go to Smoak.

Feliz, on the other hand, is pretty much guaranteed a shot in the big leagues this season as a relief pitcher._________________

Looks like he could take over Marlon Byrd's job next season as Marlon is a free agent and I would think keeping a cheap Borbon would help the clubs financial situation more than re-signing Byrd who is making $3 million this season.

Murphy had 3 hits and a walk tonight. He faced a lefty in all 5 of his at bats (struck out in his last one). Nice to see._________________

Just out of curiosity, have you signed Matt Purke or Tanner Scheppers?

I was a HUGE fan of Purke and was really hoping he'd fall to the Cardinals. He'll likely be the barometer for how much Shelby Miller will get. As for Scheppers, I think it was amazing value for you guys._________________

Rangers-related note: Goldstein expects Purke will nab $4-5 million, which might well topple the $4.5 million signing bonus that Mark Teixeira snagged in the 2001 amateur draft (the total guaranteed value of his deal was $9.5 million) ... of course, it'll be an absolute shock if he also gets a major league deal out of the whole thing.

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as11osu wrote:

You want to own a Hummer, go for it I guess. It's a selfish decision and a true reflection of character IMO.

Yeah, the Rangers would prefer to give more money than a major league contract, especially to a HS kid. The last draft pick we gave a ML deal to was Borbon, but Boras forced it on us. He was a college kid, though and he has risen quickly through the system.

I agree with Purke signing in the neighborhood of 5 million dollars without a ML contract. Purke has said he will would work with the Rangers more than any other ML team to get a deal done. I'm very confident he signs.

That being said, I wouldn't doubt we give Scheppers a ML deal because he will be ready to pitch very soon and it wouldn't be smart to waste the innings he has in his arm in the minors.

If both sign, they should slot in as our #4/#5 prospects depending on how you view them. I'd go Scheppers/Purke due to proximity to the major leagues and Scheppers has the better breaking ball right now.

I've heard Miller wants around 4 million. He was the guy I really wanted since I thought Purke wouldn't be around for our pick. He should sign near the deadline._________________ Fan of: Cowboys, Rangers, SMU Mustangs, Chelsea FC, Pirlo's Hair